(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

B.C. Wildfire Service will be completing the entire southeast fire guard at the Sparks Lake wildfire today with planned ignitions.

The planned ignition will take place on Mount Uren, north of Savona, on July 26.

The Sparks Lake wildfire was discovered on June 28, 15 kilometres north of Kamloops Lake, and has since grown to over 58,000 hectares.

The Thompson Nicola Regional District has ordered the evacuation of at least 296 properties due to the wildfire, along with placing 298 on alert.

The Skeetchestn Indian Band also issued an evacuation order on July 2.

There are currently 110 firefighters assigned to the Sparks Lake wildfire, with 10 helicopters and 41 heavy equipment units.

Five structure protection crews are also assigned to Sparks Lake, which includes 25 personnel.

Guard lines are being patrolled to the east, from Tranquille Road to Frog Lake, according to the wildfire service.

Near South Carabine Hill, the fire had pushed passed the guard lines, but those excursions were extinguished.

Crews are mopping up fire activity around Deadman Valley, on the western perimeters of the blaze, while carrying out direct attack methods in some areas to prevent its spread, according to the wildfire service.

While some trees to the west, near Hihium Lake, have been burnt, firefighters are currently building fire guards in the area, and the wildfire service says the main flank of the wildfire has not been spreading in that direction.

As the southern perimeters of the blaze are secured, firefighters are going to continue guard lines northward on either side to prevent spread to the east or west.

Go here for more information from the Thompson Nicola Regional District on the current evacuation status and emergency services.

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